Former Lady Lion Eiler finds softball success at Shasta College

Katie Eiler and her fellow Shasta Knights softball players are having a season to remember down in Redding.

The Lady Knights went undefeated in the Golden Valley Conference with a 20-0 mark and are hosting a playoff series on Saturday and Sunday. Shasta is 34-6 overall this season.

Eiler, a former Etna Lady Lions softball standings, has been enjoying being part of the team's special season from her second base position,

Orignally, she began her softball career at Simpson College in Redding before moving on to Shasta. This is the sophomore's first season with the team.

Shasta, the No. 2 seed in Northern California, is in the middle of a 15-game winning streak. They are hosting No. 15 seed Napa Valley in a three-game series. The first contest begins at 2 p.m. in Redding. The teams will play again on Sunday at noon. If nessacary, they will play a third game later that afternoon.

Below, Katie, who is from Fort Jones, talked about her experiences at Shasta College this year.

What has it been like to be part of a team that has been so successful on the field this year?

It has been such a blast. The girls are great and so much fun to play with. We have great chemistry on and off the field. That's what makes us so unique.

Heading into the season did you and the squad have any expectations to go undefeated in league this year?

Absolutely not!

What is it about this team that has helped the Lady Knights achieve this type of success this season?

Throughout the season we have had consistent pitching that has been a big factor of our success. We have also had great team unity on and off the field. We have become good friends and that makes up a team.

What are you and your teams expectations heading into playoffs this weekend?

We expect to win every game. Doing as well as we have, it is hard to picture anything less.

Does it help the team to be hosting the playoff series?

I think for this team it will help us. We are so excited to play in front of our home crowd, friends and family. In the past, it has not helped. Our coaches believe it is easier to control things such as healthy eating and appropriate sleep when we play away.

By the way, do you know the last time the Knights have hosted a playoff series.

The last time the Knights have hosted a 1st round home playoff series was in 2010.

Your teammate, Kayla Spini, was a record setting pitcher at Mount Shasta. How has it been like having a fellow Siskiyou County person on the team this year. Did you ever face her in high school?

Page 2 of 2 - I absolutely love playing with Kayla. I played against her many, many times in high school. We have always been rivals, however, we have become pretty close this year. Kayla is a great player, a great friend and I feel fortunate to have played with her this year.

Can you tell me a bit about how you ended up at Shasta? I know you started your collegiate career at Simpson College.

I heard about the rough season Shasta had last year and I found out that coach was looking for an athlete that could play defense, "pick it and flick it" as he would say.

What would you say are your strengths as a softball player?

Speed, determination, and general athletic ability.

Both your sisters (Dani and Jessie Eiler) are key starters on the Etna softball team this season. How do you feel about them playing softball for the Lady Lions and the success they and the team have had this season.

I am so proud of both of my sisters for all their success they have had this season. They have both recently received player of the week and I know they have worked very hard for their team this season. I couldn't be more proud of them.

As the big sister do you give them any softball advice?

Don't give up, keep working hard. There is always someone else out there working hard to become better than you. Leave everything on the field and have no regrets. Every day is a work day.

What are your plans after this year? Do you plan to move on to a four-year school and continue your softball career?

As of right now, I haven't made a for sure decision as to what I plan on doing in the upcoming year.

Anything else you would like to add?

Keep working. Remember that other teams always want to beat you so don't take them for granted even if you know their stats. Play with heart and never give up.